Fragrance firm Symrise has become the first company in its field to join the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA).

The partnership is a unique collaboration between the European Commission, European trade associations and companies from seven different industries, with the goal to promote alternative testing methods through replacement, reduction and refinement of animal testing.

"With our membership in the EPAA, we want to contribute to the further development of alternative testing methods and support the process with our knowledge and experience," says Dr Boris Muller, vice president Global Product Compliance Symrise.

"By pooling the available resources, everyone involved benefits and this will hopefully result in better, more quickly available and widely accepted alternative methods."

Previous actions

Symrise has already tested the waters in this area, having performed advanced analyses with the aid of alternative testing methods.

This included the Ceetox method for skin sensitization and the Gentronix Green and Blue Screen analyses.

Another method, the CuTech model for skin sensitization, was developed jointly by CuTech and Symrise, and the two companies received a European patent for their ex vivo real skin model last year.

Dr Claus Oliver Schmidt, corporate vice president Quality and Regulatory Affairs Symrise, adds, "We now have a direct information exchange on new developments in alternative testing with the members of the EPAA and can participate at an earlier stage.”

“This ensures greater regulatory acceptance while enhancing safety for both customers and consumers."

First in fragrance

Symrise is the first company in the fragrance and flavour industry to join the EPAA and has committed itself to upholding the partnership's existing standards. This includes contributing to the development and implementation of new alternative approaches.

The EPAA partners share practices and expertise under the umbrella of the Steering Committee and three dedicated platforms.

These groups identify 3R opportunities which are reflected in the EPAA action program. Symrise's involvement focuses in particular on the work of the Platforms on Science and 3Rs in Regulation.

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